On the 50th anniversary of my father’s passing on October 3rd, 2017, I am remembering what a young man once said about Woody. “You can listen to Woody Guthrie songs and actually learn how to live.”

I’ve been surrounded by my father’s songs my entire life. And today, I want to think about and remember how – specifically – how have I “learned how to live” from his songs? Most of them have messages – political, social, worldly, personal – ideas and ideals. Values. Do’s and don’ts. Warnings. Encouragements. Pleas. Confirmations. Affirmations. For the most part, even as a child, these are teachings that I take for granted without giving it a second thought...